Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

Advances in gut microbiota research among pediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing

Huijie Zhou1, Haochen Li1, Kailu Zhang1

  • 1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shandong Medical and Pharmaceutical University Hospital, Binzhou, China.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|August 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is linked to gut bacteria imbalances. Research explores how gut microbiota affects SDB symptoms and potential new treatments targeting gut health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Microbiome Research
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children, particularly obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is common.
  • Traditionally viewed as an upper airway issue, SDB's systemic connections are increasingly recognized.
  • The gut microbiota's role in immunity, metabolism, and neurological function is a growing area of study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current understanding of the relationship between pediatric SDB and gut microbiota dysbiosis.
  • To explore the mechanisms linking gut microbiota to SDB-related cognitive and behavioral changes.
  • To discuss potential gut microbiota-based biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for pediatric SDB.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on pediatric SDB and gut microbiota.
  • Analysis of studies investigating the bidirectional association and underlying mechanisms.
  • Synthesis of findings related to diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Main Results:

  • Evidence indicates a bidirectional relationship between pediatric SDB and gut microbiota dysbiosis.
  • Gut microbiota alterations may influence cognitive and behavioral symptoms in children with SDB.
  • The gut microbiota presents potential targets for novel diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions:

  • The gut microbiota plays a significant role in pediatric SDB beyond local airway factors.
  • Targeting the gut microbiota may offer adjunctive strategies for managing pediatric SDB.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate mechanisms and develop clinical applications.

Keywords:
gut microbiotagut-brain axisintermittent hypoxianeurocognitionpediatric patientssleep-disordered breathing

More Related Videos

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota06:23

Applying Advanced In Vitro Culturing Technology to Study the Human Gut Microbiota

Published on: February 15, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...